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FARM ANIMALS Welcome to the CU Livestock Facilities ! Working with animals at Clemson is as safe and healthy as working around any farm animals can be (and probably more so), because Clemson University animals are:
For “Newcomers” to the Farms… For those of you who have not lived on a farm, this will be a challenging new environment for you. Your exposures to large animals or groups of many small animals, animal feed and bedding, farm machinery, chemicals, and perhaps some new germs, will present a challenge to your body as well as to your mind. It will take training, and common sense on your part to be safe and make the most of your farm experiences and education. Farm Health and Safety… You will be given training on the humane care and use of animals, as well as species/farm specific training. However, the following sections will provide information regarding mostly human health and safety issues in animal farming. You will be introduced to safety hazards and some diseases that can be carried by farm and non-farm animals and transmitted to humans. These diseases are called “zoonoses” or “zoonotic diseases.” The most valuable precaution you can take to keep yourself healthy is also the easiest, cheapest, and most elementary procedure that you’ve known most of your life -- to wash your hands after touching animals, their bedding, and their body fluids. Wash your hands frequently and keep them out of your mouth. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK FROM OPEN CONTAINERS IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA OF ANIMALS TO AVOID FECAL CONTAMINATION OF WHAT YOU ARE CONSUMING! Also remember that, in the same way that cats and dogs have vastly different personalities, each animal species, and each individual animal also has its’ own distinct personality. Visual and hearing ability also differ among the species, and farm animals can be frightened by loud noises and unexpected movements. As expected, they may react by lurching or biting, and most farm animals are large enough to cause some real damage if you don’t work carefully around them. Even fish can inflict pain and disease by biting or “finning” aquaculture workers. Bites, Scratches, Kicks, Machinery Accidents, etc… THERE ARE 140,000 U.S. FARM INJURIES EACH YEAR; 14,000 ARE FATAL (ONE IN TEN!). Be careful around animals and farm equipment and use them as intended. For the safety and welfare of yourself and the animals, don’t bypass safety devices or rules. Have lots of fun and enjoy the animals and farms, but NO “HORSEPLAY” IN AREAS AROUND MACHINERY OR CLOSE TO ANIMALS. Exercise Good Judgment and Technique to Minimize Risk….
Regulations….
Recommendations…. Handling animals and working in farming environments is usually not going to make you ill, but you should still:
IMPAIRED IMMUNE SYSTEM (Immunosuppression / Immunocompromise): This can be congenital or caused by HIV/AIDS or other diseases, cortisone or other medications, chemotherapy, radiation, etc. Certain animal exposures and zoonoses can be very serious (or sometimes fatal) for persons witheduced immunity to disease. If you suspect your immune system may be abnormal, seek immediate medical attention for diagnosis, treatment and determination as to whether or not animal exposure is safe for you. Cryptosporidiosis… Cryptosporidia are protozoal parasites that can live in the intestines of humans, farm animals, wild animals and household pets. In most persons Cryptosporidiosis would appear as an acute, self-limiting diarrheal illness usually lasting about 7-14 days. Immunologically compromised individuals (especially AIDS patients) or those individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy may be unable to clear the parasite, and may develop chronic, severe diarrhea with malnutrition, dehydration, and death. Symptoms include watery diarrhea and cramps, sometimes severe. Nausea, vomiting, fever, and resulting weight loss, are also possible. Rats and mice probably are a reservoir for C. parvum infection in calves, and these strains are cross-transmissible between calves and man. Always use good hygiene practices when handling young animals (particularly calves). Use of gloves, followed by thorough handwashing, is recommended if there is a likelihood of direct skin contract with infective stages of the parasite. There
is currently no cure for Cryptosporidiosis; most people develop
immunity and recover from the infection. However,
immuno-suppressed
individuals should not expose themselves to animals or
humans with known Cryptosporidiosis infection, and should seek medical
counseling regarding their possible need to avoid animal contact. Histoplasmosis…Spores may be present in sites with an accumulation of animal feces, especially from birds and bats, because these “enrich” the soil and promote growth of the fungus. When these materials become dry, spores are spread by the wind, and the disease can be contracted by inhalation. Many people have had histoplasmosis and didn’t know it – it can be mild, have no symptoms, or can appear as an acute respiratory illness with flu-like symptoms -- sometimes misdiagnosed as the flu. Avoid digging and disrupting the soil in areas below bird and bat roosts. Before removal of material such as this, it must be moistened to minimize dust, and a respirator should be worn to prevent the inhalation of spores. Before starting a job or activity having a risk for exposure to H. capsulatum, consult the NIOSH/NCID document “Histoplasmosis: Protecting Workers at Risk.” http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/tc97146.html Wild Animal Exposure and Rabies… Rabid or diseased wild animals often show changes in behavior, becoming either docile, vicious, or unafraid of humans. Normally-nocturnal animals that are out in the daytime OR domestic free-ranging pets behaving strangely may be rabid. If sighted, try to “distance” yourself from wild animals that appear sick, dying, or exhibiting unusual behavior (walk, don’t run). Call the University Facilities Department (656-2186) for removal of animals (including skunks) from Clemson property. After hours, call the CU Police Department at 656-2222. If Bitten by a Wild Animal… immediately wash any wounds with soap and water. Report the bite to your local health department). It is their responsibility to require quarantining or testing of biting animals for rabies. Call the Pickens County (or your local county health department) M-F 8-4:30 (or SC DHEC in Columbia, SC over the weekend) and follow their recommendations. Do not kill any animal in such a way that the head will be damaged. The head must be in good condition for laboratory testing. Do not place in a freezer or ice chest because this will destroy the virus if present. Tick-borne Diseases… Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis: Early sypmptoms include sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, muscle pain. Rash starting on the extremities about 3 to 6 days after onset of symptoms and extending to the palms of hands and soles of feet and then to the rest of the body. Seek immediate medical attention! Delirium, coma, and death occur in 15% to 20% of untreated cases. No vaccine available – must be treated as an emergency. ”Don’t wait for rash to appear before seeking medical attention! Lyme Disease is carried by deer ticks. Early symptoms include flu-like illness with onset of headache, slight fever, muscle or joint pain, neck stiffness, swollen glands, jaw discomfort, and inflammation of the eye membranes. Characteristic “bulls-eye” rash with central clearing and darkening around the edge is present only in 50% of cases. Complications including heart disease, neurological problems, and arthritis-like joint problems may develop if untreated, and these can become permanently disabling. http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=B1CBCBF8-BCD9-46AE-A2BF23A1D66D7957 Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness (STARI) is carried by the Lone Star tick. STARI has the same signs and symptoms as Lyme Disease, but doesn’t show up on a Lyme Disease titer (blood test). Similar to Lyme Disease if untreated (heart, joint, neurological problems) which can be permanently disabling. Treated same as other 3 tick illnesses – oral antibiotics if discovered early, more intense treatment if discovered in later stages Repel ticks using… Protective Clothing - long pants, long-sleeved shirts, light-colored clothing, and tuck pant legs into socks Chemicals (Read and heed directions on the label): DEET… recognized as safest and most effective repellant, but reports of toxicity exist. Permethrin… intended for use on clothing and shoes, not skin - last about 2 weeks after several washings Tick Removal (very carefully)…. Check for ticks daily after being in wooded areas. Don’t “provoke” or crush the tick during removal (you do not want it to regurgitate). Remove tick gently (lift as close to the head as possible so it is removed with the body). Record the date of bite on your calendar and watch for symptoms for at least a month (see above). West Nile Virus… WNV is transmitted by mosquito bites, and can cause illness in humans. If so, it is usually mild (headache, nausea, swollen glands, and sometimes a body rash), but can also cause paralysis or encephalitis, more likely in babies, the elderly, and persons who are weak or immunosuppressed. Avoid mosquito bites to avoid infection. Apply insect repellent (follow product label precautions) or stay indoors when mosquitoes are biting, and wear long, loose clothing to minimize bite exposure. Spider Bites and Bee Stings… Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders both hide in dark areas (under water troughs, for instance). The bite of the Brown Recluse causes tissue necrosis that can be quite severe. The bite of the Black Widow can cause abdominal pain as well as heart problems and paralysis of the diaphragm, which can be devastating to the elderly. The protein injected in bee stings can be dissolved by the immediate use of Adolf’s unseasoned meat tenderizer (mixed with a drop of water to form a paste, and applied to the sting site. Anyone allergic to bees or wasps should have an EPI-PEN available at all times. Make sure your instructor, farm manager, and co-workers know you are allergic to bees, know the location of your EPI-PEN, and know how to use it. http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=08D93ABE-BAB7-4ACB-AC561A2CFA4765C2 Snakebites… Don’t panic or run – keep bitten part below heart (so veins don’t carry venom down to your heart). Call “911” for transport and try to identify the snake to them so the proper the ER can be prepared for your arrival. http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=2CA37AE9-7B67-484F-AC3FA7B86D8EB430 Disease Avoidance… Wear gloves and wash your hands frequently; keep your hands (and gloves) out of your mouth while working! Wear respirators as needed for dust or allergies Discard needles safely and properly Any questions or concerns? Sue Pedrick, RN, BSN, COHN-S Occupational Health Nurse for Clemson University Email: spedric@clemson.edu 656-3076-appointment line 656-5529-direct
line To complete the training, proceed to training for Cattle, Horses, Poultry, Swine, Goats and Sheep. |
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This page was updated on August 10, 2004, and is maintained by Sue Pedrick in the Joseph F. Sullivan Center of the College of Health, Education,and Human Development © Medical Surveillance Program * Clemson University * Clemson, South Carolina, 29634 |
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